Extension trunk



Oct. 29, 1929..

P. F. SPERY EXTENS I ON TRUNK Filed March 26, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fatented Oct. 29, 1929 barren s'rares PHILMORE F. SPERY, CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TOWILL FREEMAN, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA EXTENSION TRUNK- Application filed. March 26, 1927. Serial no. 178,745.

This invention relates to trunks of the type carried at the rear of motor cars for the transportation of luggage, tools, etc., and my main object is to form the trunk with an extensible portion, for use when greater capacity is desired.

A further object of the invention is to design the novel extension with a folding action, whereby to occupy a minimum of space.

Another object of the invention is to construct the novel extension with a resilient support of a simple and efficient nature.

A final, but nevertheless important object is to design the novel extension on simple and sturdy lines, for production at low expense.

With the above objects in view and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow a better understanding of the invention may be gained by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a vertical section of the trunk as normally constructed;

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the trunk extended, a portion of the extension being broken away; 7

Fig. 3 is a plan section of the trunk, as extended; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig ure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 10 denotes the front wall of the trunk, 11 the side walls and 12 the bottom. The lid 13 is hinged at 1 1 from the front wall, and is formed with beaded reinforcements 13 to fit doubled flanges 11 formed from the side walls 11 for better alinement with the latter.;

The extension involves but the side walls and bottom of the trunk, and comprises mainly sides 15, a bottom 16 and a rear wall 17 Generally, the extension is movable relative to the trunk like a drawer, the usual rear wall of the trunk being replaced by the wall 17 of the extension when the trunk is in the ordinary or unextended state, as shown in Figure 1. In this condition, the sides 15 are in folded posit-ion, as clearly shown in Figure 4:; but, when the extension is drawn outwardly, the sides, which are hinged to the bottom 16 as indicated at 18 are swung up to complete the drawer-like structure of the extension. The sides 15 are, formed with outward frontal flanges 15 which act as stopsagainst inturned flanges 11 at the rear of the trunk side walls 11, wherebyto prevent the extension from being pulled clear out of the trunk. The limit of travel by the extension is, however, controlled by a lazy-tongs element 19 at each side. The front end of thiselement is carried by an angle-plate bea'ring20, riveted at 21 to the front wall 10; and the rear end of the element is carried by a similar bearing 22 secured to the rear wall or closure 17 As the lazy-tongs elements are on the outer side of the extension sides 15when these are raised, and therefore in the path of the frontal flanges 15*, thelatter are recessed. as indicated at 15? to clear the lazy-tongs elements and permit thesides to swing out as far as possible. Y

The side walls 11 have angle abutments 23 forward of the flanges 15 whenthese are in elevated position, to lock the sides 15 from receding into the main portion of the trunk.

To facilitatethe alinement of the extene.

sion with the trunk, the respective bottoms I 12 and 16 are pressed with interfitting ribs 12 and 16, preferably of rigid formation and parallel to the travel direction of the extension, these ribs forming guides or ways for the sliding of the extension, in a straight course. In order that the extension may be regulated in its travel, a checking deviceis provided. At each side of the trunk, the ex tension bottom 16 is formed'into an inverted channel 16 in, which is sec'ured'a serpentine rack bar 24. In line with the latter the trunk bottom ,12 has a leaf spring 25 projected upwardly to terminate witha crown 2 5 which rides the profile of the rack bar 24" from the tension of the spring. The-combination thus v constitutes a spring check as the extension is moved in or out, by theseating of the crown 25 in the rack bar depressions. The rack bar has a final abutment 245, however, which prevents its complete withdrawal from the tru'nk at the bottom. Also, the bottom of-the' extension is prevented from dislocation from the upward pressure of; the spring 25 1 by angle ledges 26 secured at 27 inside the trunk side walls 11 and immediately above the channels 16 The ledges 26 are reinforced by webs 26".

A structure is thus had which is simple, compact and easily operated. When the extension sides 15 are folded, they are out of the way, and preferably rest on an up-pressed rib 16 of the extension bottom 16, so that the said sides, now forming a false floor, may withstand the weight of the trunk contents. The extension, being spring-seated is devoid of vibration and rattling when the contents of the trunk are light. Altogether, the structure is of few parts, and sturdy design, and should last indefinitely.

' It may be added that the lazy tongs element 19 functions not only as a connector but as a support for the rear portion of the extension at any point of its travel. Thus, the extension has sufficient strength to support a spare like extension from such end, the sides of the extension being hinged at their bottom edges and foldable and abutinents eiiective upon the sides when unfolded to receive portions of said sides whereby to prevent the closing PHILMORE F. SPERY.

tire, as shown, much in the same manner that a telephone instrument is supported on a lazy tongs type of bracket. As to the sides 15 of the extension, it is significant that when they are folded while the extension is out, the latter 1 forms a pocket or open receptacle for tent poles, camp stools and other articles of an elongated nature, which can be carried crosswise within the extension.

1. An extensible auto trunk comprising a main section with its rear end open, and a drawer-like extension from such end, the sides of the extension being hinged to the bottom thereof and foldable thereon.

2. An extensible auto trunk comprising a main section with its rear end open, a drawerlike extension from such end, and a springtripping element to check the motion of the extension in the opening and closing direction, said extension being arranged to operate said spring tripping element when a predetermined pressure is exerted on said extension in either of such opening or closing directions. I 3. An extensible'auto trunk comprising a main section with its rear end open, a drawerlike extension fromsuch end, slides carried by the extension and formed with isoscelesridge racks, and spring-pawls carried by the mainsection and cooperating with said racks to control the movement of the extension.

4. An extensible auto trunk comprising a main section having a rear open end, a drawer-like extension fromsuch end, guides for the bottom of said extension, said exten sion being slidably mounted in said guides and a lazy-tong connection extending horizontally between the trunk and the extension to limit the departure of the latter, said lazytong connection also serving in conjunction with said guides to support said extension.

5.. An extensible auto trunk comprising a main section with its rear end open, a drawer- 

